"I am missing China. Sometimes I dreamt of going back to China where I stayed for three and half years," Bilshad Rahman, wife of former Bangladeshi ambassador to China Ashfaque Rahman said.
Dilshad said, "China is so wonderful. When I was there I was very much impressed by the economic development, the culture, the food and the people."
Bilshad accompanied her husband Ashfaque Rahman to China in November 2003. As wife of ambassador, Bilshad was actively involved with many social activities in China.
According to Bilshad, she participated in Friendship Competition of Amabassador's Madam on Knowing Chinese culture in 2006 organized by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Out of the 5 events, Bilshad won 3 first prizes which were Kun Qu Opera, Tea Art and Chinese Style Costume Show.
Bilshad said, "I registered for competition of 5 events, since I won three first prizes, I withdrew from the other two events which were Language Sort and Handcraft Making."
Bilshad did a lot of charity work in China. "Every year Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry organizes a charity bazar (market) in Beijing. My stall in the bazar always attracted many customers," she said.
"I had two purposes to attend the charity bazar, one was to promote Bangladesh's products, another was to do something for the Chinese poor people," she added.
Ashfaque Rahman was posted in different countries for almost 25 years. Bilshad was always with him no matter he was a junior diplomat or an ambassador.
"I stayed in several countries and visited about 40 countries, but I think China is the best," Bilshad said.
"China has good leaders, and hardworking people. The most important thing is the leaders and people work together to develop the country's economy. That is the reason why China rises so quickly," she added.
Bilshad and Ashfaque Rahman left China on May 2007. For Ashfaque,it was not only the end of a term as ambassador, but also the end of his diplomatic career; for Bilshad, it was a sad moment to leave a country she loves so much.
Bilshad said she missed the Olympic Games which was held in China in August 2008 and attracted the attention of the whole world.
To make up for what she lost, Bilshad and her husband made a private visit to China recently. They visited Olympic Village in Beijing and saw the Bird Nest and Water Cube which she felt so amazing.
"Beijing has changed a lot in two years' time. The people become more polite and friendly. The environment becomes more beautiful. We felt so happy and enjoyable," she said.
"I am very jealous of Chinese people, because they live in a great country," she added.
Bilshad learned some Chinese words when she was in China as wife of ambassador. "I still remember those words when I made the recent visit. When I talked to the Chinese people I felt as if I returned home," she said.
Bilshad recognizes China as her second home which gives her a lot of good memories.
Bilshad joined Bangladesh-China People's Friendship Association after she came back to Bangladesh. "Though I am no longer the wife of Bangladeshi ambassador to China, I still want to do something for the friendship between the two countries and the two peoples," she said.
(Xinhua News Agency May 22, 2009)
